State Capitol News

11:48 am

Tue August 4, 2009

Arizona children not taking advantage of free health care

Phoenix, AZ – More than one out of every five children in some counties werewithout health insurance in 2006 even though they were eligiblefor nearly free coverage from the state.

In Arizona, everyone below the federal poverty level is entitledto state-paid health care. That's about $18,000 a year for afamily of three. And a separte program known as Kids Careprovides insurance for children in families making up to twicethat for as little as $10 a month. But new figures from theCensus Bureau find many of those children without coverage. DanaNaimark of Children's Action Alliance said part of the problem isthat the state doesn't do a good job of publicizing the program.

"People don't know about it. Or they don't think it applies tothem. Because these are people who are working. They've neverbeen on welfare. They don't think there's something out there forthem. And so they have to hear about it."

Jennifer Carusetta who works for the Arizona Health Care CostContainment System, which also runs Kids Care, said her agency isdoing more outreach. But she said there likely are other factorsat work.

"They may find the premiums cost prohibitive. There's also thepotential they may not be able to meet citizenship requirements.Also, there is a population out there that, for whatever reason,chooses not to apply."

Naimark acknowledged some people who are here illegally probablyfear applying even if their children are U.S. citizens andentitled to the coverage.